MVP calls on PBA teams to unite
By Robbie Pangilinan
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Feb 2013
MANILA, PHILIPPINES via AKTV - Smart Gilas Pilipinas owner Manny V. Pangilinan called on fellow PBA team owners to ?reunite for our country? as the Philippines hosts the upcoming FIBA-Asia championship.
?Project natin lahat ito, para sa bayan at sa ating pagmamahal sa sport na basketball (This is everybody?s project, for the country and for the love of the port basketball),? said MVP, following reports that Alaska?s big man Sonny Thoss will only join the national team after the Commissioner?s Cup.
?We hope Sonny can play for the team, he will be representing the country and be the pride of the Philippines,? MVP added.
The management of Alaska already informed PBA commissioner Chito Salud that the team is willing to loan one player, but only after the Commissioner?s Cup or if they get eliminated early.
On the other hand, Thoss believes that there is no conflict in training with the Philippine team and with his duties in Alaska, as the Gilas players have not resumed training yet. He is willing to observe but cannot play at the moment.
National team coach Chot Reyes also wants Thoss to complete the ?RP Giants? that consists of Talk N? Text players Jimmy Alapag, Larry Fonacier, Ranidel De Ocampo, Ryan Reyes, Jason Castro, Jared Dillinger, and Kelly Williams; Globalport?s Gary David and Japeth Aguilar; Rain or Shine?s Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan; San Mig Coffee?s Marc Pingris; Ginebra?s LA Tenorio; Petron?s Jun Mar Fajardo; Filipino-naturalized Marcus Douthit and Ateneo?s Greg Slaughter.
The ?tallest team? in local basketball history is expected to play well at the FIBA Asia Championship for a sought-after slot in the 2016 Olympics at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 17-man roster averages a height of 6?4? ? with 7-footer Slaughter, 6?10? Fajardo, and 6?9? Aguilar.
Though looked up to as a ?threat? in Asian basketball and the most dominant team in Southeast Asia due to the RP players? three-point shooting and sneaky fast breaks, players from Jordan, Iran, and China are taller.
RP Team assistant coach Jong Uichico also called on Mark Caguiao to play for the national team, saying that The Spark will be a big contribution to Gilas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Robbie Pangilinan.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Action Summary Week Ending 28 April 2025
By Eric Armit, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Butler, Green Show Up on Rockets in 109-106 Win
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dableo Second in Sydney Standard Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025